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Unlike my favorite book and my favorite movies, my favorite song does not stay consistent. But one thing which is consistent about it, is that it usually changes every three months. Two reasons for this, is because one, I usually listen and listen and listen to it, until I burn myself out. And two, because my life changes; therefore, different lyrics tend to speak louder at different times, depending on my mood and what I’m going through.

At the moment, my favorite song is Ashes Remain’s “All of Me.” A song that spoke loudly to me when I heard it on the radio. A song that has become an anthem for my life. And a song that I’d like to share with you:

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD‘s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 1:6-8, ESV)

The book of Malachi takes place about 100 years after many of the Jews had returned from the Exile. Yahweh had allowed them once again to dwell in their Promise Land. The temple had been rebuilt, and so had the walls of Jerusalem. Under such men as Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, the Jews had outwardly rebuilt portions of their nation. However, the majority of them had not restored that which had caused them to be exiled in the first place–their hearts. Continue reading →

A PSALM OF LOGAN, DURING THE OCCASION OF HIS FIRST MONTH SERVING IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY.

O GOD, You are my God.
How long has it been,
since I’ve said, “Thank You?”
How many blessings have You given,
that I have yet to be grateful?

Your well knows no limits,
my cup overflows.
You bless beyond contentment.
In the midst of evil,
You are still good.
Though there is pain,
bullets, and brokenness,
I can take heart in the God of goodness.
Though sometimes You seem far,
You are always so close.
Though I am imperfect,
You make me whole.
Your mercy saves me
from the presence of Your holiness.

Your love and mercy knows no bounds.
Your Spirit’s warm like a blanket,
a gentle breeze that cools,
a blazing fire that warms.
Your Son, the Ultimate Gift,
a Lamb, a Lion, a mirror to gaze into.
You a Father who loves His children,
forgiving, accepting, yet just.

In every culture, there are legends of monsters. Frightening creatures such as the Greek’s Cerebus: a titanic dog with three heads, each with a mane of snakes, and a serpent for a tail. The North American Wendigo: a beast similar to Bigfoot, but with antlers, flesh so tight to its bones, it almost appears as a skeleton, and its blue heart can be visibly seen beating in its chest. Or the Bogeyman: a monster that kidnaps and devours disobedient children.

We all have monsters that we’re afraid of, for not all monsters are mythical in nature. This picture of Foxy, from the game Five Nights at Freddy’s, is here to represent the monsters within our own lives.

In fact, there are several monsters within the pages of the Bible, such as the mighty Behemoth (Job 40:15-24) and the fierce Leviathan (Job 41). But, not all monsters are beasts, such as the man Goliath, who was defeated by God through the shepherd boy David (1 Samuel 17). There are also the lions, the beasts that Daniel spent an entire night within their den, God using His angel to shut their mouths to spare His servant (Daniel 6). Or even the fiery furnace, which God rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from (Daniel 3):

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Daniel 3:14-18

The Bible is full of stories of monsters and God rescuing His people from them. However, reading stories such as these, are not always comforting, are they? For what about the monsters that we deal with within our daily lives? Such as a bully or an overbearing boss? Or where was God when Joplin was hit by the monstrous tornado? Or when a woman was taken advantage of?

The other day, I had a headache–probably from the neglect of drinking enough water. So, what was my first reaction? Well, venture to the kitchen to the medicine cabinet, to grab the bottle of Aspirin, having great anticipation that the two red pills I held in my palm would relieve me of my pain.

Modern medicine is a wonderful gift. We have the ability to cure diseases, to stay healthy, and to even make a motionless heart beat again. But, as with everything, there are also cons which come from that gift–one being our natural blindness to the spiritual. Continue reading →

Like flowers, rainbows, and butterflies, vultures are creations of God. Yet, our reactions to these birds aren’t the same as they are for puppies or kittens, are they? They are seen as disgusting creatures, and for good reason. For vultures don’t have the cleanest of occupations; they eat decaying flesh after all. Enjoying blotted opossum as if it’s prime steak. Being birds branded as unclean to Israel by Yahweh Himself (Leviticus 11:13). They are animals associated with death and hang around dead things. Death being a byproduct of sin, being something unnatural that creates pain and fear.

Yet, though they carry out these dirty deeds, buzzards are most needed. Continue reading →